The *NEW* Grand Floridian Resort and Spa FAQ thread (Nov 2007)

[Alicnwondrln]

Channing - looking forward to your report on GF garden view room. We are booked at CR atrium club for next June as my DSs have been wanting to stay there, but reports on the CR thread are not very positive lately, maybe we will switch to GF!

Thats to bad. I love the CR but I wouldnt want to stay there with all the construction going on.
I just wanted to add I dont know when you are going and reviews are just that reviews. If you are looking forward to going there dont let poor reviews change your mind.

 

[BCV23]

I have seen Channings back pack and its contents. Based on that I cant imagine her suitcases.
LOL

 

[Lives4Disney]

I have seen Channings back pack and its contents. Based on that I cant imagine her suitcases.
LOL

See!!?? So true! I was going to pack today, but I just keep putting it off because I turn it into a hideous huge project. I wish I could be one of those people that just throws stuff into a bag in a half an hour and is good to go. That has to feel so good.

HockeyMom, my son LOVES the CR. ....LOVES it. He spends a lot of time over there in the arcade and just soaking it up. We used to stay at the CR every single trip. It was our favorite for years just because seeing our little guy (who is now 17 ) enjoy everything about it so much made us so happy. There is something about that CR that boys just love. DS17 started staying there before he was 1 and to him the CR is Disney. I remember when the rehab started, Z took the elevator and was impressed with the new "style" in it. We are going to have to get over there & stay again before he doesn't travel with us anymore. Once the construction is done, we will give CR another go.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[melmsu]

WHy are you nervous about what room you'll get??? Is it that you don't like the new decor or that you booked with AAA?? What room category did you book???

More info!

Lives4Disney

First of all, welcome to the DIS, and congrats on your 5th anniversary. Secondly, don't worry about it! One thing we've learned about these boards is that you have to take everything with a grain of salt. Things tend to "snowball" on here, if you know what I mean. I would say to make sure that it is noted on your reservation that you are celebrating your 5th anniversary and that you would like a king bed if possible, and then let Disney do the rest. This doesn't necessarily mean that you WILL get an upgrade, but they do look at the special request notes and they like to accommodate those celebrating a special occasion when they can. I do not recommend asking for an upgrade. Don't over think things (the Disboards tend to fuel that - I'm as guilty as anyone else), and just expect that you are going to have a great Disney vacation! And I bet you will!

I was starting to get nervous about the room we might get because I see alot of posters in this thread talking about different parts/buildings in the GF and I do not know anything about which area of the resort is better. We booked a garden view, requested King Bed, I believe.

I will call the week before (that's next week) and tell them we are celebrating our 5th anniversary and really would like a King Bed for sure.

I just wondered if there was a certain area in the hotel that would be what I should ask for!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

I was starting to get nervous about the room we might get because I see alot of posters in this thread talking about different parts/buildings in the GF and I do not know anything about which area of the resort is better. We booked a garden view, requested King Bed, I believe.

I will call the week before (that's next week) and tell them we are celebrating our 5th anniversary and really would like a King Bed for sure.

I just wondered if there was a certain area in the hotel that would be what I should ask for!!

I know Angela had a king bed in Sago with a garden view. It was a marina view. Sago Cay has not been refurbished yet, though. All the other buildings have been. Did you see the map Kelly posted at the very beginning of this thread?? That will kind of help you get your bearings and see what building faces what. All the garden views are nice. Garden view will either face a pool, marina, or garden. Sago is nice because it's closest to Gasparilla's grill for convenient fast food. Boca Chica faces the courtyard pool and past that the main building. Big Pine is convenient to the main building and to the theme pool. Conch is close to the boat dock to MK. They are all pretty close to eachother and all have their benefits. I would leave a building request out of the mix, though, and really make the king bed your #1 and main request. Happy anniversary & have a wonderful time!

I should be packing.....big time procrastinating going on here.

Lives4Disney

 

[princessesrule4]

Channing - looking forward to your report on GF garden view room. We are booked at CR atrium club for next June as my DSs have been wanting to stay there, but reports on the CR thread are not very positive lately, maybe we will switch to GF!

We are frequent GF stayers and we did CR Atrium Club this past August and loved it! The rooms are fabulous, they had free internet with our family's customized itinerary/adr's right there on the in room computer, fabulous,friendly staff, Krispy Kremes in the a.m., good lounge food ( just not as extensive as the GF, MK/ Castle view to die for( could see the people on Astro orbiter)... did I mention the Krispy Kremes?(Why oh why does RPC not have Krispy Kremes?)

I only missed the GF a little bit - the kids and DH didn't miss it at all, well DD did a little bit,but the lifeguards had pool games all afternoon everyday so she stopped missing it rather quickly! The Food and Fun Center had not closed down so there was not any construction except for the one shop being redone which you couldn't even hear or see!

I think you will enjoy it - we just went in with the attitude that it is a completely different hotel than the GF and appreciated it for its own great features! GF is still our favorite but CR is a close second!

 

[HockeyMomR]

Thanks all for the CR You all are great! Just getting the 7 month jitters..... Maybe it is the construction over there that has led to not so positive reviews. So, thank you to all for your good thoughts and responses. I will have to think about it, we will not be there until June 10.

 

[tete01830]

Channing,
Everytime I see your ticker, I get so jealous! I just came back but I just want to go back! My DD6 told me next time we go that I should tell them to press the "live here" button! I can tbelieve you only have 6 days left!!! Have fun and my fingers are crossed for you! Here is some Pixie Dust

Siobhan

 

[Lives4Disney]

Tete, thanks!

Hey guys....I started packing & have a question.....What should DH wear to Narcoosees??? I have never been there. Is it OK for men to wear jeans and a nicer shirt or polo or something?? Or is this a NO JEANS restaurant?? I was hoping it was nice casual, but I need help. The overpacking has begun. On that same note, what can I wear to Narcoosees?? I have some nice pants and I have a cute embroidered denim jean jacket. Can I wear my denim jacket?? I like it.

I am kind of worrried about how cold it will be at 7:30 pm ....not sure what to pack for my girls to wear if they need to get a little dressed up, too. They do not have PANTS. They have capris and jeans and skirts. Probably too chilly for skirts and for dress up they will not be caught dead in jeans.

So what do you all wear to Narcoosees????????

THANKS,

Channing

 

[Alicnwondrln]

So what do you all wear to Narcoosees????????

THANKS,

Channing

My sons wear khaki shorts and polo shirts as does DH.
I would not see why you couldnt wear jeans and a nice shirt.

 

[Cmbar]

Just checking in before I go to bed! We leave at 7:45 am for our trip to GF! Thank you all so much for your help all these months as we have planned. I will definitely be back with a report and hopefully some pictures!

Channing have a wonderful trip! Maybe we will see you in the lobby on our last day! Looking forward to your trip report! Weather looks nice and sunny for both our weeks!

Whoo Hoo! We are going to Disney!

 

[Lives4Disney]

My sons wear khaki shorts and polo shirts as does DH.
I would not see why you couldnt wear jeans and a nice shirt.

I wish DH could wear nice shorts and a polo -that would be great....I think it will just be too cold at 7:30 most likely. I remember when the sun goes down it gets really chilly fast. I just don't want to have to pack him dress pants and shoes if I don't have to just for this.

Cmbar, have fun!!!!!

Lives4Disney

 

[praline3001]

Channing,
We are eating there too in Feb. We were planning on coming strait from the park and eating for dinner so I wanted to make sure what the dress code is. Nice jeans and polos are fine. As that is what my DH wears 90% of the time anyway he was happy to hear this haha
I am sure your girls would be fine in a cute pair of caprice.

When you mentioned dress up, did you mean the princess dress up kind of thing? My DD6 is a Fiend for dressing like a princess the entire time we are there she has several costumes she must wear at all times
Since we are going to be there in Feb and I don't want my Snow White BLUE I bought some cute white leggings to go under the dresses. Depending on the weather, I will also have a long sleeve plain white t shirt and a white turtle neck to chose from (remember we are from the south so 50 is OUR winter haha). This serves to keep her warm but also so she can run around and not show anything a lady shouldn't (she is 6 after all) while in the parks.
I love the Gymboree leggings but not sure if you have a store near you. Walmart has leggings for little girls but I can never find the colors I want LOL

 

[3for Me]

Channing,

I was just looking at my birthday pictures from last year @ Narcoosee's - my DH and DS both have on nice jeans and a long sleeved polo (it was Feb., so chilly). He'll be fine in jeans.

Have fun next week and think of me on my little value trip with 40 girls that I told you about! I will be so jealous thinking of you enjoying the GF!

I broke down and made a breakfast ressie at GFC for some of the other moms and me so that I can get a "fix" before my February trip and to see the gingerbread house.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

This GF thread looks great! Thanks Alicnwondrln for directing me this way! I read the whole thread over morning coffee. GF looks like a great place to stay and its nice to see the pics. Glad to see people in comfortable attire - I don't know what I was thinking. I guess the misconception that guests have to dress up at GF all the time - its Disney for goodness sakes! Park attire is all we need unless we were to go to the fancy restaurants. Maybe DH and I will and have the babysitting service come in. Thanks again Alicnwondrln! I do have one question - if we were to reserve GV what would be the best building in your opinion? also the same for LV? We would probably book the LV. TIA

Joanne

 

[Cinderella Fan]

I was starting to get nervous about the room we might get because I see alot of posters in this thread talking about different parts/buildings in the GF and I do not know anything about which area of the resort is better. We booked a garden view, requested King Bed, I believe.

I will call the week before (that's next week) and tell them we are celebrating our 5th anniversary and really would like a King Bed for sure.

I just wondered if there was a certain area in the hotel that would be what I should ask for!!

I know Angela had a king bed in Sago with a garden view. It was a marina view. Sago Cay has not been refurbished yet, though. All the other buildings have been. Lives4Disney

I did stay in a GV room in Sago Cay, with a king bed. It was a dormer room and it was nice, though it hadn't been refurbished. It was room #5431. It was lovely.

We were just a short walk to Gasparilla's, the monorail, and the bus stop. The view was nice - you could see the pool, the gardens, and the marina.

I hope you have a wonderful trip. Don't overthink it - just sit back and enjoy the wonderful place that is WDW!!!

 

[BCV23]

Channing, the dress code for Narcoossee's is the same as other WDW Signature restaurants like CG, Citricos, Jiko, AP, YSH. Jeans are listed as permitted.

My guys dress like Kelly's in warmer months and substitute slacks in cooler months. You will see jeans at all the signature restaurants but most people dress up a bit more. But if all he has is jeans, he'll be fine.

I just started watching the weather in Orlando on weather.com as we're almost to the 10 day mark. It looks beautiful and lows are in the upper 50s for the most part. My DH would still be in shorts in that weather.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Thanks, guys, for all the help w/dress code. I did not know jeans were allowed at the signature restaurants. We usually dress up, but that's part of my over packing. There is such a big deal made about dress codes on other threads. Glad to know we don't have to pack special for one or two nights. Most of our dinner ADRs are in the parks. We have Brown Derby for Thanksgiving lunch so we will just be in park clothes. I just like dressing a bit nicer for dinner at a resort.

3for me - Have a great time!!! You never know.....you may be pleasantly surprised and have a new favorite, lol. Can you imagine?? All that savings.

JJ & Js mom....So far we have only stayed concierge at the GF but we will be checking in on Friday to a garden view room. The views are either marina, courtyard pool, or gardens. Really you pretty much can't go wrong with a garden view at the Grand.(knock on wood! ) - It's what I have read and seen SO.....fingers crossed. There are no parking lot views. Check out the map Kelly posted at the beginning of the thread and you will kind of get a better idea of the layout & views. I requested Sago for convenience to Gaspies.

Lives4Disney

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Lives4Disney: Thanks for the info - I did look at the map and Sago Cay looks good and I see you requested that so I'll be anxious to see pics. Have a wonderful time at Disney.

 

[3for Me]

3for me - Have a great time!!! You never know.....you may be pleasantly surprised and have a new favorite, lol. Can you imagine?? All that savings. Lives4Disney

Uh hu...FAT CHANCE, Channing!